John J. Worsham was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 11, 1825, and was the son of Jeremiah and Nancy (Fullen) Worsham. The father was born in Washington County, Va., in 1786, and died at Connersville, Ind., in 1861. He settled in Franklin County, Ind., in 1811. Nancy (Fullen) Worsham was born in Tennessee in 1795, and emigrated with her father to Franklin County, Ind., in 1811, where she died in 1859. John J. Worsham was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer by occupation. October 28, 1847, he was united in marriage with Martha A. Messersmith, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Ford) Messermith. The former was a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. They settled in Fayette County in 1811. Martha A. Messersmith was born in Fayette County, Ind., February 3, 1825. John J. Worsham and wife came to Johnson County the year following their marriage, and settled in White River Township, where the husband died, November 30, 1881. He was well known and respected, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Worsham, who still survives, is a member. The above marriage was blessed by the birth of eight children: Thomas J., Nancy C., Grafton M., Jacob B., deceased, Thurza M., Joseph T., Jasper F., and Willie H., deceased.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 916.